CONVENIENCE IN EATING FOCUS OF PBH PROGRAMS

NEWARK, Del. -- The Produce for Better Health Foundation here is planning four separate retail promotions this year, all focused on the convenience of eating produce.

ans for 1997," said Elizabeth Pivonka, PBH president, in a statement. "We've added some interesting new programs and promotions to our existing 5 a Day outreach efforts."

The first promotion, which has been in supermarkets since the beginning of February, is titled, "The Original Fast Food: Fruits and Vegetables." This promotion, which shows consumers how to make quick meals using produce, will run through the end of April.

Officials at Strack & Van Til Supermarkets, the Schererville, Ind.-based company that owns units under the Town & Country, Ultra Foods, Cub Foods and Strack & Van Til Mega Marts banners, said they had just received their point-of-sale materials, and are planning on posting signs in the coming weeks.

Connie Foundos, produce supervisor at Strack & Van Til, said sales increased last year when the company's stores were involved with 5 a Day promotions, and he hopes to see the same results this year.

"Hopefully, we'll see some increased sales [this year]," Foundos said.

Strack & Van Til allows store management at each individual unit to decide what commodities will be promoted using the materials provided by the PBH.

"I'll suggest items to them and they pick from there," Foundos explained.

From May 1 to July 31, retailers can help bring the 5 a Day message to children with "Produce Playground: Start Your Kids on the Right Equipment."

This second promotional package explains the healthy, as well as fun, aspects of eating more fruits and vegetables, said the PBH.

Designated for the fall months is the annual National 5 a Day Week promotional material, the third in the retail schedule, which, this year, encourages consumers to "Take the 5 a Day Challenge" by eating five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables.

From Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, retailers may use the "Holiday Promotions: Make It Fast, Make It Healthy, Make It 5 a Day," package, which suggests easy ways of using produce to make the holidays healthy.

The PBH supplies retailers with various point-of-sale materials, including informative posters, brochures and cards.

At an exhibit booth at the United show, PBH officials also displayed the new destination stop POS materials, a package used to attract attention to the produce department at supermarkets.

The 1997 destination stop marquee consists of three separate panels containing various 5 a Day tips on each side.